[Paul K]

Two stories, one ended well the other didn't.

Back when I was broke, I was driving on I-84 in my '86 Subaru wagon, passing a semi which was doing about 65, so I was probably doing 70. Which is about all an '86 Subaru wagon with 300k on the clock can do. Anyhow, I look in my rearview mirror, and all I can see is grill. I mean this guy was probably within 4' of me. So I stomped on the brakes. Big red dodge pickup swerves all over, then come back on my a$$ again. by this time I am past the semi so I move right to let him pass. Guy (a red head, should have known) pulls up alongside me and starts pointing at himself, then me, like he wants me to kick his ass. I respond with 'You were following too close'. Then he tries to sideswipe me, and continues with the pointing, arm waving, etc. By this time I'm ignoring him, no eye contact whatsoever. Guy realizes that I'm not going to bite and stomps on it.

I passed him a couple of miles later- pulled over by the cops. I tooted and waved as I passed him...

Same '86 Subaru, icy secondary road in a blizzard in February. I come up behind a silver Dodge pickup who is going really slow. I'm in 4wd with studs on, he has bald tires and is all over the road. Fair enough, I back off and wait until we have a long straight, then I start to pass the guy. I get alongside and he starts moving into my lane. Bigtime. I lbeep the horn, figuring he hasn't seen me, and he flips me off. So I stop in front of him, get out and go see what his problem is.

Guy was freakin crazy, started yelling about how he'd leave me dead in the roadway, despite his Dad trying to calm him down. Got right in my face and I figured I'd better leave before I never got to tell the story. Guess I lost that one.

I guess the moral is that you never know how crazy the other driver is until it's too late.

FWIW, I now pack pepper spray and a handgun.

Hope I never need either.

Paul.